This podcast episode from The Economist discusses two main topics: the decline of the CDC under the Trump administration and the rise of silver as an investment asset. The first segment details the significant negative impact of the Trump administration's policies on the CDC, including staff cuts, communication restrictions, and a climate of fear among scientists. A reporter describes unconventional methods used to gather information due to the unwillingness of CDC employees to speak openly. The second segment analyzes the recent surge in silver investment, contrasting its historical underperformance against gold with its current strong performance, driven by factors such as increased industrial demand and geopolitical uncertainty. The rise of silver as a safe haven asset is highlighted, with examples of central banks and traders actively increasing their silver holdings.